What is change management? And when does one like Bruce Piasecki get hired from the White House to corporate mansions to assist top executives in a multi-year change management assignment? Is there a consistent pattern to the hires that brought this book author to earn in 18 different currencies, with translations of his books into Mandarin, Japanese (World Inc was a book of the year in Japanese), Korean, Portuguese, Greek, and other national languages? Why is change management necessary in healing the wounds and prejudices that plague business and society? What follows defines in short paragraphs what Bruce Piasecki views as the elements of answering these questions about change management.
Part of the gift is basis communication and facilitation skills. Another part of it is training in deep listening, to hear how an impasse might be broken, and a more profitable path for a Merck, bp, or Walgreens. But other parts include what we explore here. In this interview, we delve into the remarkable story of how Bruce Piasecki embarked on his path to success (see www.thedoingmorewithlessguy.com) in the world of corporate consulting and writing.
Join us as Bruce shares his experiences and worries. Discover what sets him and his firm apart from other consulting firms, note how Bruce navigated the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. We even jump into why he wrote an Autobiography, as his 22nd book, DOING MORE WITH ONE LIFE: A WRITER’S JOURNEY.
Place image first attached of Bruce as speaking here
A traumatic start, death of his father when he was three years old
His career path was inspired by a profound personal experience at the age of three when he tried to wake up his soldier father who suffered a cerebral hemorrhage. As reported in his memoir, this event left a lasting impression, fueling his desire to conquer each day. This resulted in his abilities to make money by serving both governments and corporate giants. Before this memoir, his other books chronicle his professional journey and the lessons he has learned. It is as if the father’s hemorrhage gave birth to a chronic writer, a daily need.
Defining Success in 2024
Bruce Piasecki believes that “doing more with less is success” and that after each month one must ask “what is enough?” This set of career objectives cannot be strictly defined, especially in the current turbulent times. Over the years, his definition of success has evolved, capturing his ambitions accurately in his writings and public profiles.
Take for example his Wiley books, one a bestseller and another on “Doing More with Teams.” Still available in new paperback editions, these two cornerstone Wiley books reflect his competitive spirit and his focus on legacy value and social capital.
Despite the challenges of today’s world, Bruce draws from historical events and personal experiences to shape his understanding of success. You can consult the path and spins in his Wikipedia pages where he is compared to influential figures like Bill McKibben and Bill Novelli, highlighting his balanced approach between environmentalism and corporate interests. You can get feel the enthusiasm for public good in this one short sample from this family fund, the Creative Force Foundation (place for second attachment). More on success at www.wealthandclimatecompetitiveness.net )
Vision for the Future
Bruce’s vision for the future aligns closely with his current endeavors, particularly in addressing anxieties about climate change and hazardous waste management. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he wrote “2040: A Fable,” reflecting his faith in the future and his commitment to solving global problems through accurate diagnostics and innovative solutions. This book, introduced by Thad Rutkowski, a creative writer and longtime friend, encapsulates Bruce’s optimistic outlook and proactive approach towards future challenges. He notes that writing a book is something like a prison sentence, so “I was ready to work during Covid.”
Fostering Innovation
For over 40 years, Bruce has gathered lawyers, scientists, executives, and engineers for focused 90-minute sessions to foster innovation within his organization. These sessions, first conducted via ATT conference calls and later through Zoom and Teams, have been instrumental in managing large-scale projects for global clients like Merck, BP, Walgreens, and Toyota. Bruce emphasizes the importance of teamwork, creativity, and smart brevity in fostering innovation. He also speaks about writing a biography on Bill Novelli, the former CEO of AARP, which underscores the importance of collaboration and leadership beyond hierarchical structures. This biography is part of his forthcoming anthology THE VOICE OF THE CEO, where the section on Novelli is called “The Good Boss.” More on this fostering of innovation at www.brucepiasecki.com
Resilience in the Face of Adversity
Bruce’s resilience stems from a childhood marked by bumps and bruises along the road. His setbacks, such as undergoing open-heart surgery and two total knee replacements, have taught him to choose the right-sized pond for his ambitions. Bruce’s experiences as a competitive basketball player have also influenced his approach to resilience, team building, and the creation of social capital. He says “we all must become like big Ben Franklin all over again: civic, frugal, and competitive in team building ways.”. He learned early on the value of competing in the right league and adjusting to one’s strengths and limitations.
Empowering Others
Bruce’s book “Doing More with One Life” provides insights into his approach to empowering others within his team and community. He believes that teamwork is the foundation of leadership decisions and has consistently promoted a collaborative environment throughout his career. This philosophy is evident in his mentoring relationships and the way he encourages his team to take on leadership roles.
Mentorship and Leadership
Bruce’s approach to leadership has been shaped by his mentors, including M.H. Abrams, the General Editor of the Norton Anthology series, and several influential coaches and board members. His mentors have helped him integrate competitive sports skills into his business strategy, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and refined competitive spirit. Bruce’s early mentor, Charles Plummer, and his interactions with Olympians like Al Oerter, arranged by his coaches, have left a lasting impact on his leadership style. You can see what Bruce Piasecki has written about his mentors in his Medium.com pages, and in the selection of short biographies he has written on Eileen Fisher, Linda Coady, Jack Robertson and Frank Loy, among others. See his Amazon pages for these short biographies. Piasecki feels the best way to be coachable, and keep growing to new challenges, is to write biographies of people you admire. “That, ironically, is a disciplined form of self-mentoring.” See more at www.brucepiasecki.com
Impact of Emerging Technologies
His Wikipedia pages cover his years at Cornell, RPI, and his establishment of a Masters of Science 45 credit graduate program at RPI, where Bruce hired some stunning lawyers in practice and managers for training. It was a hybrid program that taught Bruce about several competencies, from technical, legal, or management savvy. In short, by building this graduate program, admitting the students form around the world, and then hiring the faculty, he learned a great deal to assist the growth of his consulting practice.
Bruce recognizes the significant impact of emerging technologies on his industry. While he has shifted away from technical competencies, he continues to focus on the broader aspects of social change, including market pricing and corporate strategies. His involvement in these areas has been instrumental in shaping his firm’s direction. Bruce’s insights into the four legs of social change—market pricing, current technologies, emerging technologies, and investment arguments—demonstrate his comprehensive understanding of the factors driving industry evolution.
Risk-Taking and Decision-Making
Balancing risk with innovation and growth is a key aspect of Bruce’s leadership. He credits his success to a focus on social response capitalism, articulated in his books like “World Inc.” His career reflects a careful balance of competitive values and loyalty to his teams, enabling sustained growth and return. Bruce’s approach to decision-making involves a deep understanding of social and economic factors, which he combines with strategic risk-taking to drive innovation. See World Inc in its foreign editions.
Crisis Management
Bruce’s memoir “Doing More with One Life” details his approach to crisis management. Through his experiences, he has learned to prioritize resilience and strategic responses, ensuring his organization’s stability and success. His ability to navigate crises, informed by his personal and professional challenges, underscores his expertise in maintaining organizational health during turbulent times. This Memoir was orchestrated by his talent agency, www.scottmeredith.com, which has joined Piasecki after he sold the bulk of his firm in order to concentrate on the legacy of his books.
Self-Reflection and Personal Development
Bruce engages in continuous personal development through writing books, which he views as a way to distinguish between ego satisfaction, self-discovery, and self-promotion. He balances his professional commitments with personal time, enjoying family life and gardening. This approach to self-reflection and development ensures that Bruce remains grounded and focused on his personal and professional growth.
Significant Achievements
Bruce’s significant achievements and milestones are best captured by third-party sources like Wikipedia, Google, and YouTube. These platforms highlight his contributions and social achievements, offering a comprehensive view of his impact on the industry. Bruce’s ability to influence industry standards and shape environmental policies through his work is a testament to his dedication and expertise. See the specifics entered undcr ths Wikipedia pages of Bruce Piasecki, Bill Novelli, and M.H. Abrams for more. Meanwhile, note that these Wiki page are alive with new entries since the release of Piasecki’s Memoir.
Recent and Upcoming Projects
Bruce’s upcoming PBS show in 2025, featuring interviews with influential leaders, is a testament to his ongoing impact. His new book, “Wealth and Climate Competitiveness,” further showcases his commitment to addressing global challenges through corporate strategy and social change. (see. www.wealthandclimatecompetitiveness.net for more on this)
The documentary will highlight Bruce’s work and its impact, providing insights into his methodologies and the principles driving his success.
